Walking the Sandstone Trail (Shropshire & Cheshire)
Sandstone Trail is a popular long-distance walking trail in north west England. The 34 mile route takes in both counties’ beautiful countryside: a forest, two castles, ancient churches and many canals and caves.
Cheshire is one of England’s most beautiful counties, nearly all of it rural apart from a few major towns like Warrington. Close to Wales, it is mostly inland but does have a short coast facing the Irish Sea.
If out walking, follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Shropshire has more sheep than people! If at the coast, read about how to keep dogs safe by the seaside.
The walk takes 2 to 3 days (depending on how fit you are). Or you can just break things up with small circular walks, if you don’t want to walk the whole route.
The sandstone is 225 million years old (from the Triassic period).
The walk begins in Frodsham, a north Cheshire market town that’s just 9 miles east of the Tudor city of Chester. There’s a railway station here, if you’re not driving.
The walk ends in Whitchurch, another market town, this time in north Shropshire. It houses beautiful Georgian buildings and ancient inns, and is known for its town clocks.
Wear well-worn vegan walking boots and bring a waterproof, as the trail can get muddy in places, especially after rain. Carry enough water, snacks, and a map or GPS – though waymarking is good.
Public transport links at both ends make point-to-point walking easy, and local taxi firms can help with transfers for circular or sectional walks.
Shropshire has more sheep than people! Pregnant sheep (and sometimes due to wool waterlogged from rain) can sometimes roll over onto their backs, and can’t get back upright, due to having four stomach chambers (so will die if not turned back upright).
If you see a sheep on its back, just firmly right it back, then stay with it, until rain has drained off, so it won’t happen again. Then inform your local farmer.
